Hi and welcome from NY. You don't specify if you want to learn to quilt by hand or machine. I do both. I found this a wonderful book to learn by.
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Quilt...5033453&sr=1-2
It makes a lovely sampler quilt that teaches you loads of different techniques for all kinds of piecing including curves, applique and set in seams (AKA "Y" seams). Then it gives the quilting designs for each and every block with full size drawings you can trace on to your quilt top. My very first bed size quilt I made from this book and hand quilted the whole thing based on the directions supplied. Hand quilting is just a simple running stitch going through all 3 layers of the quilt. It takes a little practice but the more you do the better you get.
When I first started to quilt this quilt I tried machine quilting on my DSM (domestic sewing machine) but it was so hard to try and wrestle it through the throat of the machine I just ended up hand quilting. So, as others have said, when you first start MQ you are much better off starting with smaller projects like placemats, table runners or wall hangings. There is also the quilt as you go method (QYAG) where you quilt each block individually then put them all together with sashing. There are loads of web resources on that as well as books.
We are always here to help if you get stuck on something.